KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — The security presence outside former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s residence was nowhere to be seen today, a day after the Taman Duta property was placed under tight security ahead of his anticipated return under house arrest.
According to Astro Awani, no police officers or Prisons Department vehicles were visible outside the Jalan Langgak Duta residence, while yellow security tape restricting access to the property had also been removed.
The scene contrasted sharply with Friday, when security personnel controlled access to the residence, allowing only authorised individuals and vehicles to enter or leave.
The heightened security came as preparations were made for Najib’s expected return after he paid a RM50 million fine in the SRC International corruption case, fulfilling a key condition of a royal pardon allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 23, 2028.
However, the move was put on hold after the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) called for further legal clarification on the implementation of the conditional pardon.
Despite the absence of security personnel today, local and international journalists remained stationed near the residence, awaiting further developments.
Najib’s residence was officially gazetted as a prison on Friday under Section 3 of the Prisons Act 1995, following a declaration by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The designation covers the property and its surrounding land, allowing it to be used for the detention of individuals in lawful custody.
In a statement today, the AGC called for an urgent court determination on whether Najib’s SRC International prison sentence remains in force or has legally ended following the payment of the fine.
It said the distinction was crucial because Najib’s separate 15-year prison sentence in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption case was ordered to begin after the completion of his SRC International sentence.
The AGC also rejected allegations that it was challenging the authority of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, maintaining that its request for judicial clarification was intended to ensure the royal decree and existing court orders were implemented lawfully.
The clarification came after Istana Negara said the conditional pardon granted to Najib was clear and unambiguous, warning that any attempt to dispute the decree could amount to defying the King’s order.
Najib, 73, has been serving a prison sentence since August 2022 following his conviction for offences involving RM42 million in SRC International funds.
His original 12-year sentence was reduced to six years under a partial royal pardon in 2024, while his RM210 million fine was cut to RM50 million.
A subsequent conditional pardon granted on September 18 this year allowed him to serve the remaining term under house arrest, subject to payment of the fine and compliance with stipulated conditions.
